Theos-Talk Archives (October 2008 Message tt00759)

Duane,

You write:

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Another rational for this attempted corporate takeover of the Boston
lodge by national was national's charge that "true theosophy" was not
being taught at this lodge. In addition to teaching the works of HPB,
which I personally sponsored and supervised there were many who
studied the additional works of Alice Bailey, Rudolph Steiner and many
others. I find it of some interest that if the works of Alice
Bailey are even mentioned on this forum that many who subscribe to it
immediately go into a frenzy of criticism and hostility as if the
devil itself were mentioned. How ironical I find this for in a
somewhat oblique and indirect way the same mindset is now being
applied to many of those who post here and may feel that they are
being treated unfairly. And what is my point? Simply that one group of
so called theosophist trying to control and dictate to another group
what they may study or explore or believe may not be Theosophy.
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What you say here is relevant to a number of posts I have made here 
in the last few months.  

Should a Theosophical Society be promoting certain books, certain 
authors while in various ways ignoring or discouraging other books 
and authors?

I see nothing wrong with studying the works of Alice Bailey or Rudolf 
Steiner in a Theosophical group, branch or lodge.  Now as you no 
doubt know, I have serious reservations about Bailey's claims but 
believe it or not I have gained insight and understanding as a result 
of reading some of her works.

Students of Theosophy should read widely and expose themselves to the 
ideas and words of many authors, isms and ologies, to various 
philosophies, religions, etc. etc.

Although I am primarily a student of HPB's writings and teachings 
that doesn't mean I have not read and studied the works of many many 
writers. In fact the writings of Madame Blavatsky prompted me to read 
widely in order to understand all the references she makes to 
Gnosticism, Kaballah and hundreds of other terms!!

Some of my relevant postings follow:

Should an "ideal" Theosophical Society study & "promote" these books?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/40990

Don't confuse the Esoteric School with the Theosophical Society
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/40486

"...we have to preach and popularise a knowledge of theosophy." 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/46360

Theosophy & School of the Masters is NOT any Theosophical 
Society..... 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/46318

The Theosophical Society versus the Theosophical Cause???
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/46284

Power Structures & Theosophical Societies, Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/46208

Daniel
http://hpb.cc